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PREVIOUSLY: Former Eureka City Councilmember Jeff Leonard Announces Bid for 5th Ward Seat

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Press statement from 5th Ward Eureka City Council Candidate Jeff Leonard: 

Jeff Leonard submitted his nomination paperwork at Eureka City Hall, officially placing him on the ballot for the 5th Ward seat on the Eureka City Council. Leonard previously represented Eureka’s 3rd Ward from 2002 to 2010, serving two successful terms on the city council.

Eureka’s 5th Ward represents the heart of the City, from the Bay to Del Norte Street and C Street to Cooper Gulch. “I love living in Eureka,” Leonard said. “We have such a great community. Innovative. Compassionate. Engaged. Local. I feel lucky to have grown up here.”

As a council member, he helped create the Redwood Coast Energy Authority and was a founding member. He led the Eureka Trails Committee and helped develop the Eureka Waterfront Trail Plan. He served on the Zoo Foundation Board, spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the Eureka Skate Park, and secured grant funding to install new playground equipment at Hammond Park.

Looking forward, Leonard believes improving our quality of life is a critical component to creating positive growth for our local economy. He supports downtown housing that helps increase the customer base for Eureka businesses. “The City is responsible for keeping our streets and public spaces clean and safe. Local businesses will thrive, tourists will visit, if we keep our City safe and clean.”

During his second term, Leonard encouraged the City to sign one of the first contracts with John Shelter and New Directions. The innovative program provided a compassionate approach to addressing encampments behind the Bayshore Mall and the Elk River Wildlife Area.

Today, Leonard supports the programs the City has developed, Uplift, the Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET) and Crisis Alternative Response Eureka (CARE). “I am so impressed with how much the City has accomplished since I served on Council. I look forward to learning more about these programs and meeting the people who work on these teams. Most importantly, I would like to know how I can help support their work. We are a very compassionate community. We’re doing a great job reaching out to members of our community that have been marginalized.”

Leonard also believes the current council majority should reconsider last year’s decision to reject a proposed ordinance that would have upgraded infractions for unauthorized homeless encampments to misdemeanors. The proposed ordinance included a CARE court that would help channel violators to appropriate services.

“We should always offer a helping hand when we see someone in need. Our community also needs to hold people accountable. Community members should feel safe walking in our parks, on the Boardwalk, and the Bay Trail. Public spaces should be clean and accessible.”

“Eureka is already a great place to live, but I believe we can do even more,” Leonard said. “I’m excited to get back to work serving our community. Improving our quality of life – that is job number one for the Eureka City Council”.